English Valentine’s Day is one of those things you either love or hate. But honestly, even though we’re all about showing love year-round, it’s still a nice excuse to do something together, discover a new spot, or just mix things up a bit. Because let’s be real – sometimes we need that little push, you know? An extra day that gives us permission to actually stop and spend time together.
So if you’re in Italy and not sure what to do, here are some ideas for spending the day like a real local – simple but a bit different.
Hit up the thermal baths
Going to the thermal baths is probably one of the classic Valentine’s moves here. It doesn’t cost too much, it gives you that vacation vibe, and it’s intimate and chill – just time for the two of you.
For us, some of the best spots are definitely in Veneto, around Montegrotto Terme and Abano. You’ll be surrounded by vineyards in this quiet, authentic area where restaurants and accommodations are surprisingly affordable.
Another gorgeous place is Sirmione in Lombardy – it’s this little town right on the lake with spectacular sunsets, plus it’s famous for its thermal baths.
Treat yourselves to some food experience
Any excuse is a good excuse to discover a new place to eat, right? For couples wanting something more unique than a standard dinner, Valentine’s Day is the perfect excuse to indulge in a special culinary experience.
For example, a nice idea is to do a wine tasting together. There are tons of wineries all over Italy that offer tours and tastings for less than 30 euros per person. Our favorite spots are Valpolicella, the Alba area in Piedmont, though Abruzzo and Tuscany also offer plenty of these experiences.
Visit cities or small villages
Another classic is exploring a city to see it with different eyes, and there are some cities that really deserve it. One of them, perhaps the most romantic, is Verona – the city of Romeo and Juliet. Every year they organize “Verona in Love” (February 13-15, 2026), when the whole city lights up and fills with markets, music, literary events, and food and wine tastings.
Other places worth visiting for Valentine’s are definitely Orta San Giulio – this super intimate little village on Lake Orta (not crowded and touristy like Lake Maggiore can sometimes be), Matera, a place so rich in history and unique, especially at night when the city lights up and the contrast of the lit sky with the ancient stones makes you feel like you’re in another era. But also Venice and Rome itself – classics, but when you explore them in a slower way, outside the usual tourist zones, like in the different gardens, they’re always special.
Escape to the mountains
February is still a great season for the mountains – actually, maybe one of the best considering it’s not high season anymore, so it’s easier to find somewhere to sleep at decent prices.
One of the regions that offers the most in this sense is hands down Trentino Alto Adige, and the whole Plan de Corones area. There’s something for everyone here – ski slopes, lakes to visit, hiking, visits to nearby cities like Bolzano where you might still find markets selling mulled wine and pretzels. Or even Valle d’Aosta, a region still pretty unknown abroad, super rich in history – maybe better for people who don’t want to ski but prefer walks or cultural visits, since the area is full of medieval castles. Plus the food is incredible, which is always an important factor to consider!
Unique experiences in nature
People who don’t love skiing or are tired of the usual dinners or cities usually go for something simple but more original. A unique experience, away from the chaos but immersed in nature. Places like Asiago offer a packed calendar of events where you can go wild: from snow excursions to stargaze with local experts, dinners in malgas (little mountain huts), snowshoe walks through the fir trees, experiences to observe animals in nature – you name it.
If you live in another area, we recommend finding a medium-small town and checking their website to see if they’re organizing anything. Similar experiences are organized in Lombardy too (Sondrio area), Piedmont (Borgosesia area / Ossola valleys), Abruzzo (Gran Sasso and Corno Grande), Trentino, and Valle d’Aosta.
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